Stomping in the Mud Play Group is a rich, natural outdoor play environment where children have the opportunity to play outside, rain or shine ... a chance for preschoolers to 'live in the moment' while learning through play.

Friday, 27 December 2013

Snow...we had some snow! A rare experience for Victorians and even rarer for it to snow on a Stomping day. The children had a wonderful time, and I know it will seem crazy to many, but it would be lovely to have some more. Snow is such a wonderful Loose Part.December did turn out to be a very cold month - we saw ice on the river's edge and very little rain. The salmon continued to arrive in the river pools, and by the end of the month they were slowly dying and disappearing down stream creating many questions about the circle of life. The Maple trees are now empty of their leaves, the pumpkins and mushrooms are still rotting and slowly disappearing into the earth. It is winter in the forest now - a little darker and quieter, but still full of life and fun for curious little people.

This little one is warming her hands at the warming table. It's a small heating pad between thick blankets! Brilliant!

This group of children worked together for quite a while developing and constructing their bridges then they practised balancing on them.

Our annual hand prints to take home.

Wonderful stick play!

One morning this round pumpkin was missing. What a mystery! We looked everywhere for it. We looked for clues. Finally we discovered it in the side yard. There was a lot of discussion about how it could have ended up there. It was decided that a raccoon must have rolled it through the hole in the fence trying to get through the pumpkin's tough skin to eat the seeds inside.

They discovered that the bamboo bends all the way down to the ground without breaking.

We would like to wish everyone a very healthy and happy 2014 with lots of time for outside family fun.

About Me

Hi there, my name is Dianne and the field of early childhood education has been my passion for over 30 years. Yes, I started in my early 20's. I recently retired from a preschool where I was the supervisor/manager for 23 years. In 2004, I was awarded the Prime Minister's Certificate of Achievement. I believe that preschoolers learn the most important things not by being told but by constructing knowledge for themselves in interaction with the physical world & with other children- they do this by playing. Play is natural. Last but not least, I am blessed to be granny to four grand daughters.